Merced, CA Demographics

A map of Merced's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Hispanic	55,300	48,617	60.1%	56.3%
White	19,362	20,386	21.1%	23.6%
Asian	8,681	9,234	9.4%	10.7%
Black	4,230	4,191	4.6%	4.9%
Multiracial	3,315	2,910	3.6%	3.4%
Native American/Other	1,065	995	1.2%	1.2%

Merced, California has an estimated population of 91,953, an increase from the 86,333 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 60.1% Hispanic, 21.1% White, 9.4% Asian, 4.6% Black, 3.6% Multiracial, and 1.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Merced, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Merced has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Merced, that probability was 61.2% in 2020 and 58.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Merced is ranked the 87th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Merced was ranked the 98th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Merced's White Population

19,362 residents of Merced, or 21.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Merced is considerably lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Merced ranks 1254th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's White population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Merced's population has decreased from 23.6% to 21.1%.

Merced is more White than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (13% White), Bear Creek (13% White), and University of California-Merced (5.8% White). Merced is less White than neighboring Tuttle (100% White), and McSwain (49.8% White).

Merced's Black Population

4,230 residents of Merced, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Merced is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Merced ranks 215th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Merced's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Merced is more Black than neighboring University of California-Merced (4.4% Black), Tuttle (0% Black), and McSwain (0% Black). Merced is less Black than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (6% Black), and Bear Creek (6.6% Black).

Merced's Asian Population

8,681 residents of Merced, or 9.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Merced is lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Merced ranks 288th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's Asian population has declined by an estimated 6.0%. Asian residents' share of Merced's population has decreased from 10.7% to 9.4%.

Merced is more Asian than neighboring Bear Creek (0% Asian), and Tuttle (0% Asian). Merced is less Asian than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (21.8% Asian), University of California-Merced (31.2% Asian), and McSwain (15.2% Asian).

Merced's Hispanic Population

55,300 residents of Merced, or 60.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Merced is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Merced ranks 346th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Merced's population has increased from 56.3% to 60.1%.

Merced is more Hispanic than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (58% Hispanic), University of California-Merced (54.8% Hispanic), Tuttle (0% Hispanic), and McSwain (31.4% Hispanic). Merced is less Hispanic than neighboring Bear Creek (80.3% Hispanic).

Merced's Native American/Other Population

1,065 residents of Merced, or 1.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Merced is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Merced ranks 874th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 7.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Merced's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.2%.

Merced is more Native American/Other than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (0% Native American/Other), Bear Creek (0% Native American/Other), University of California-Merced (0% Native American/Other), and Tuttle (0% Native American/Other). Merced is less Native American/Other than neighboring McSwain (1.8% Native American/Other).

Merced's Multiracial Population

3,315 residents of Merced, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Merced is comparable to the share in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Merced ranks 1119th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Merced's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Merced's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Merced is more Multiracial than neighboring Franklin CDP (Merced County) (1.2% Multiracial), Bear Creek (0% Multiracial), Tuttle (0% Multiracial), and McSwain (1.8% Multiracial). Merced is less Multiracial than neighboring University of California-Merced (3.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.